Cleaning Metal Surfaces in Your Arvada Home
Properly caring for metal fixtures and surfaces is essential for maintaining a beautifully cleaned home, says Bill McCarthy of Arvada maid service Merry Maids. But even some of the most conscientious homemakers simply don’t know where to start. Here are some of Merry Maids’ Arvada maid service’s best tips for cleaning metal surfaces and fixtures.
Brass
Lacquered brass should be gently washed with a mild detergent solution to avoid damaging its lacquer coating. Never use metal polishes or steel wool on brass. When the lacquer has become chipped or scratched, the metal underneath it will tarnish. So, if this occurs, the lacquer will have to be stripped off and the piece re-lacquered. Tung oil (or car wax) can also protect brass from tarnishing.
Unlacquered brass can be left “antique,” with its distinctive greenish-brown patina of tarnish intact, or it can be polished to a high shine. To polish solid brass, use a cream brass polish, which coats the brass with a thin film of oil to help keep it from tarnishing. For plated brass, avoid abrasive cream polishes as they will eventually wear through the plating and expose the metal underneath.
Stainless Steel
Oily fingerprints can cause stainless steel to become streaky and discolored. Merry Maids team members use a stainless steel cleaner for regular cleaning and maintenance, but you can also clean and polish stainless steel with vinegar. Just moisten a cloth with undiluted white or cider vinegar and wipe clean. To remove streaks, try a lemon oil product diluted with a gallon of water. Murphy’s Oil Soap (or olive oil in a pinch) can also be effective.
Chrome Fixtures
Chrome can become dull and cloudy if not cleaned properly. One of the best ways to get a beautiful shine on chrome fixtures is to use a paste of baking soda and mild dishwashing liquid. Apply the paste to your fixtures and rub with a clean cloth. Vinegar can also be effective on chrome.
If you work with a maid service, be sure your cleaners know how to properly care for the metals in your home. Choose a cleaning company that provides thorough training and regular quality checks, advises McCarthy. And if you’re concerned, talk with your cleaning professional about how he or she will handle the different surfaces in your home.
With Merry Maids’ Arvada maid service, there’s no need to worry about your home cleaners’ training or techniques. Backed by one of the most trusted names in home cleaning, Merry Maids provides each team member with the intensive training he or she needs to properly care for virtually any household surface. With Merry Maids, you can relax – your housework’s done and your metal surfaces are clean and bright.
Before following any of the cleaning information, methods, advice or suggestions above, always test a small area that is less visible first. Also, you should consult the manufacturer’s care instructions and warnings before trying any of the above. Due to the general nature of the advice in this material, neither Merry Maids, L.P.®, nor its individual franchises assumes any responsibility or accepts liability for any loss, damage or injury, which may be incurred as a result of any action inspired by information, advice or suggestions through this material.